Category Archives: Write Like A Pro

The C.L.I.M.B., Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Song Title Challenge #29: “International 19 Minutes”

Leave a comment

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) – & HERE FOR THE WEBSITE

Get into a pro songwriter’s mind!

Johnny takes a title submitted by a CLIMBer like you, and he springs it on me live!  Then I have to figure out how to make it a hit… yikes!  Watch me blow up or flame out.

If you want to submit a title, send it to Johnny at info@daredevilproduction.com.

It’s not a cowrite.  You keep 100% ownership of whatever you write, and you’re free to use any ideas I throw out.  I am NOT a cowriter on this.  Any ideas are simply my gift to you!

If you’re a singer, songwriter or indie artist who wants to grow your career, THIS is the podcast for you!

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides.  They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

 

The C.L.I.M.B. stands for “Creating Leverage In The Music Business,” and that’s the goal of this podcast- to help singers, indie artists and songwriters like YOU to create leverage in the music business.  What is leverage?  It’s “strategic advantage; the power to act effectively.”  We want to help YOU make stuff happen in the music biz.

It’s exciting to see how folks are digging the show- and being helped on their CLIMB.  If YOU like it, we’d really appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave a rating or review on iTunes.  Positive ratings and reviews help us to climb the iTunes rankings so more people become aware of the show and we can help more singers, songwriters, and indie artists like you make The CLIMB!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

TheCLIMBshow.com

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

Stitcher

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a top 10 in Texas, and a #1 in Canada… so far.

The C.L.I.M.B., Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Song Title Challenge #28: “Let Me Have This One”

Leave a comment

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) – & HERE FOR THE WEBSITE

Get into a pro songwriter’s mind!

Johnny takes a title submitted by a CLIMBer like you, and he springs it on me live!  Then I have to figure out how to make it a hit… yikes!  Watch me blow up or flame out.

If you want to submit a title, send it to Johnny at info@daredevilproduction.com.

It’s not a cowrite.  You keep 100% ownership of whatever you write, and you’re free to use any ideas I throw out.  I am NOT a cowriter on this.  Any ideas are simply my gift to you!

If you’re a singer, songwriter or indie artist who wants to grow your career, THIS is the podcast for you!

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides.  They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

 

The C.L.I.M.B. stands for “Creating Leverage In The Music Business,” and that’s the goal of this podcast- to help singers, indie artists and songwriters like YOU to create leverage in the music business.  What is leverage?  It’s “strategic advantage; the power to act effectively.”  We want to help YOU make stuff happen in the music biz.

It’s exciting to see how folks are digging the show- and being helped on their CLIMB.  If YOU like it, we’d really appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave a rating or review on iTunes.  Positive ratings and reviews help us to climb the iTunes rankings so more people become aware of the show and we can help more singers, songwriters, and indie artists like you make The CLIMB!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

TheCLIMBshow.com

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

Stitcher

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a top 10 in Texas, and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Building A Hit, Write Like A Pro

Building A Hit: Tim McGraw & “Neon Church”

Leave a comment

Tim McGraws’s current single, “Neon Church,” is lighting up the country singles chart. Today, let’s take a look at some of the ways the songwriters built this song to be a Tim McGraw hit.

Great songs don’t happen by accident- they’re a series of wise choices.  And the songwriters (Ben Stennis, Ben Goldsmith and Ross Lipsey) made some great choices when building “Neon Church.” Now, I wasn’t in the room with them, so I can only speculate at the thought process behind the end results. But as a professional songwriter myself, I can take an experienced and educated guess.

If you want to write hits, too… read on!

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

1. Stick to the brand.

Overall, this song is built to fit Tim’s brand of country. Tim has shown time and again that he likes songs with different language.  And I don’t mean Mandarin or Spanish.  I mean, he likes interesting wording.  Check out songs like “Felt Good On My Lips” (“Mellow yellow umbrella for a fella like me”), “Everywhere” (“Albuquerque, waitin’ out a blizzard”)  or “Live Like You Were Dying” (“A bull named Fu Manchu”).  And the list could go on.  Tim likes unusual words and wording, and “Neon Church” is full of them.  “A little Friday night hallelujah” “A congregation of backsliders just like me.”

Also, Tim has a history of somewhat spiritual songs.  I say “somewhat” because while he isn’t known for straight up “I love Jesus” songs, the subject of Spirit pops up on his albums.  Just not in a straight ahead way.  “Book Of John” “Drugs Or Jesus” “Kill Myself” “Nothin’ To Die” “Better Than I Used To Be” and “Touchdown Jesus” all touch upon the spiritual, but not in a gospel way.  “Neon Church” does that, too.  It uses the language of the church without being a “church” song.

 2. Show, don’t tell.

There are a lot of images in the song, they’re fresh, and they’re memorable. Right in the first line, we see Jesus and whiskey.  Okay, you have my attention, Mr. McGraw.  The title is an image, of course.  Then we see a jukebox choir and angels with their wings on fire.  Tim’s not just telling us he needs a neon church, he’s showing us what a neon church looks, feels, sounds and tastes like.

These fresh, vivid images help the song stand apart from all the other songs that get pitched to Tim for every album.  Not only that, but it helps the song to…

3. Stay on theme.

The theme of the song is how the singer wants spiritual healing in a bar.  And just like the title smashes a bar and church image together (“neon/church”), so do most of the lines in the song.  “Bartender/preach,” “sipping/unholy water,” “jukebox/choir,” “honky tonk/angels,” etc.  This not only keeps the language interesting (back to point 1), it keeps it visual (point 2), and it keeps the song on theme.

In the 2nd verse, he stays on theme, explaining how he tried to find healing for his heartache in a traditional church.  It didn’t work, however, so he’s looking for that healing in a  bar.  It makes the whole setup of the song make even more sense.  “I couldn’t heal my heartache in a stained-glass church.  So now I’ll try it in a neon church.”

4. Clear eyes, full heart can’t lose.

The first lines of the song set up the emotional center of the song immediately and clearly.  What does he need?  Jesus or whiskey or whatever gets him through.  Through what?  Getting over you.  Okay, it’s a lost love song.  Got it.  And now that we know why the singer’s torn between Jesus and whiskey, we can connect emotionally.  We know Tim isn’t just worshipping whiskey or seeking a spiritual experience at a bar for no particular reason.

And you can feel the desperation and loss in Tim’s vocal.  The situation and his performance are full of heart.  He’s hurting, and he’s desperate for healing.  I, the listener, can feel his pain,  And that’s what keeps this from just being a song that’s clever or interesting.  The singer’s “hurt” is what makes it emotional, which is a huge deal when connecting with an audience.

Okay, those are four areas in which Ben Stennis, Ben Goldsmith and Ross Lipsey built “Neon Church” to be a hit song. Of course, those aren’t the only elements that make the song a hit, but they’re four important ones. If YOU want to discover even more of the elements of building a hit song, I have an awesome opportunity for you.

In the month of January, I’m hosting a transformative online songwriting event called, “Building A Hit: From Blank Page To Finished Lyric.” In this powerful 4-week online workshop, I reveal:

How to find great song ideas. Kill writers block and fill up that blank page again and again.

How to focus your ideas for maximum impact. Don’t waste any more great ideas by leaving them under-developed or confusing.

How to frame your idea for maximum commercial appeal. Having a great, compelling idea isn’t enough. You have to build your song in a way that an artist will want to sing it and an audience will want to hear it.

How to finish your song. Stop leaving your best ideas unfinished. Nobody loves a song they never hear, and a song that’s only 99% finished will never get recorded, never get on the radio, and never change your life.

If you want to join me on a journey that will help you think and write like a pro songwriter, click on the link below. Spots are limited for this event, and I only host it twice a year. Miss out, and it’s gone for another 6 months. Don’t delay. Transform your songwriting today..

DON’T MISS OUT- CLICK HERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a #1 in Canada & a top 10 in Texas… so far.  He also hosts a top-rated songwriting and music business podcast called, “The C.L.I.M.B.” which can be found on iTunes or your favorite podcast app.

Know The Row, Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Songwriting advice from hit songwriter, Jimmy Yeary!

Leave a comment

Here’s golden advice from a #1 songwriter.

Jimmy Yeary’s Lee Brice hit, “I Drive Your Truck” was awarded Song of the Year honors at the 47th annual Country Music Association Awards, as well as Song of the Year at the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. More recently, he landed another chart-topper with David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney’s “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.”

Yeary’s songwriting credits also include Kenny Chesney’s #1 hit “Til It’s Gone,” Rascal Flatts’ #1 single “Why Wait”, Jake Owen’s #1 “Anywhere With You,” and Martina McBride’s top 10 hit “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” He’s also had songs recorded by George Strait, Leann Rimes, Troy Olsen, Heidi Newfield, and more.

Jimmy was a recent guest on Frettie.com’s “Know The Row,” and he shared some great, real-world advice for songwriters.  Here’s some of what he had to say.

Read on!

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

Here is a bit of Jimmy’s advice (paraphrased):

You don’t necessarily need to write with the artist. It certainly helps, but the right song can overcome that. I’m a firm believer that the best song wins.

If I write with an artist, I generally let that artist lead and guide. Nobody knows what the artist wants to say better than the artist.

If I feel the emotion of the song, you (the listener) will feel it. If I don’t feel it, you won’t either.

It’s really important to be yourself- to do what YOU do. Expose that to other people and let them decide if the value you bring is something they want. And it helps to be a writer that people want to be around.

I go through a ritual every day to get my brain revved up. Reading, vigorous exercise and brain exercises get me ready to write. I can’t just wake up, hop in the truck and go write.

Get going early. Bring in ideas so you can find the idea quickly.  Then you have more time to work on the song.

I know what makes me be my best. And then I make sure I do those things that make me the best I can be.

If you want a Blake Shelton cut, you better have every Blake record and study ALL the songs. Because if you haven’t, other songwriters have. If you want to give yourself the biggest advantage, you have to study their music.

The key to everything I do is the prep I do. I have a healthy diet, I exercise, I read, and I study artists and the market- on a very consistent basis- to give myself the best chance for success.

I don’t want to write a good song. I want to write a great song.

What’s important between cowriters is not having ego. You can’t get easily offended. You have to be able to be honest with each other.

One of the worst attributes you can have as a new songwriter is thinking you’re really really good. You need humility to get better. The more stuff you can figure out that you’re doing wrong, the more stuff you can fix.  And that’ll make you better.

If you’d like to hear EVERYTHING Jimmy had to share, the full video replay is available in Frettie’s Member Area.  It’s right there along with full video replays of other events with hit songwriters, Byron Hill & Chris Lindsey, music publisher Scot Sherrod, artist/writer Aaron Goodvin, and more.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

If you want to join our next event live, “Know The Row” is a cool opportunity for us to hang out together (online) with a music industry pro.  It starts off with a brief conversation between me and our guest, as he or she reveals information YOU need to know about the music biz.  After that, we’ll open it up to YOUR questions.

This month, our guest is hit songwriter KENNA WEST!  Kenna has had over 31 #1 singles in the gospel and southern gospel markets.  She currently writes for Word Publishing.   He’s has been nominated for multiple Dove Awards, multiple “Songwriter Of The Year” nominations (AGM, SGM), and over twenty “Song Of The Year” nominations.  Artists who have recorded Kenna’s songs include Karen Peck & New River, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Marty Raybon, Brian Free & Assurance, and more.

This is something you do NOT want to miss!

This event will be on Thursday, November 29, in the evening.

Can’t make it to the live event?  Every “Know The Row” is recorded and added to the Frettie Members Area.  These videos are a resource for Frettie subscribers.

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE INFO.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a #1 in Canada, and a top 10 in Texas.  His songs appear on 5 industry-certified gold & platinum albums & singles… so far.  He also hosts a top-rated songwriting and music business podcast called, “The C.L.I.M.B.” which can be found on iTunes or your favorite podcast app.

The C.L.I.M.B., Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Song Title Challenge #27: “Empty Heartbeats”

Leave a comment

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) – & HERE FOR THE WEBSITE

Get into a pro songwriter’s mind!

Johnny takes a title submitted by a CLIMBer like you, and he springs it on me live!  Then I have to figure out how to make it a hit… yikes!  Watch me blow up or flame out.

If you want to submit a title, send it to Johnny at info@daredevilproduction.com.

It’s not a cowrite.  You keep 100% ownership of whatever you write, and you’re free to use any ideas I throw out.  I am NOT a cowriter on this.  Any ideas are simply my gift to you!

If you’re a singer, songwriter or indie artist who wants to grow your career, THIS is the podcast for you!

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides.  They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

 

The C.L.I.M.B. stands for “Creating Leverage In The Music Business,” and that’s the goal of this podcast- to help singers, indie artists and songwriters like YOU to create leverage in the music business.  What is leverage?  It’s “strategic advantage; the power to act effectively.”  We want to help YOU make stuff happen in the music biz.

It’s exciting to see how folks are digging the show- and being helped on their CLIMB.  If YOU like it, we’d really appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave a rating or review on iTunes.  Positive ratings and reviews help us to climb the iTunes rankings so more people become aware of the show and we can help more singers, songwriters, and indie artists like you make The CLIMB!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

TheCLIMBshow.com

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

Stitcher

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a top 10 in Texas, and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Know The Row, Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Songwriting advice from hit songwriter, Chris Lindsey!

Leave a comment

Here’s golden advice from a #1 songwriter.

Chris is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, and his cuts include “Amazed” by Lonestar, “Every Time I Hear That Song” by Blake Shelton, as well as cuts by Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, The Civil Wars and more.  He also has a great podcast called, “The Pitch List.”

Chris was a recent guest on Frettie.com’s “Know The Row,” and he shared some great, real-world advice for songwriters.  Here’s some of what he had to say.

Read on!

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

Here is a bit of Chris’ advice (paraphrased):

You need to be writing edgy material, because it could be 6-8 years out from hitting the radio. “Every Time I Hear That Song” was 6 years old when it went #1 for Blake Shelton.

However honest you can be with yourself about your songs, that’s how far you can go in the music business. It’s key to honestly evaluate yourself and your music. Be vicious with yourself.

When you work with artists, you’re really trying to assist them.

If it’s not working, try something different- different cowriters, different style of writing, etc.

Songwriters tend to be precious with their songs- their babies. But if a producer passes on a song, it’s not personal. Your song just isn’t what they need at that time for that project.

No matter how much this town (Nashville) beats you up, if you can take a beating, you’ll come out of it… good. You’ll be a better writer.

If you just want to make money, there are easier businesses than the music business.

After your “finish” your song, play it in person for someone you respect. You’ll hear the song in a whole new way and find things you need to fix that you never noticed before. It’s hugely helpful.

Even if you come out of the gate with a hit, it doesn’t get easier. It’s always competitive. Even if you’ve written a hit, you have to write today’s song TODAY. You have to get today’s cut TODAY.

I tend to reject a song idea if there’s no “service” in that idea. As songwriters, we should be trying to add value to people’s lives. If a song doesn’t seek to serve others or add value, I’ll reject it. Value could be giving someone a smile after a hard week at work. Or value could be validating someone’s love. We make the most money by serving the most people.

Instead of being so focused on “writing up” (writing with big-name hit songwriters), you need to find YOUR people. Write together, stay together, form a wedge and bust through as a group.

If you’d like to hear EVERYTHING Chris had to share, the full video replay is available in Frettie’s Member Area.  It’s right there along with full video replays of other events with hit songwriters, Byron Hill & Jimmy Yeary, music publisher Scot Sherrod, artist/writer Aaron Goodvin, and more.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

If you want to join our next event live, “Know The Row” is a cool opportunity for us to hang out together (online) with a music industry pro.  It starts off with a brief conversation between me and our guest, as he or she reveals information YOU need to know about the music biz.  After that, we’ll open it up to YOUR questions.

This month, our guest is hit songwriter KENNA WEST!  Kenna has had over 30 #1 singles in the gospel and southern gospel markets.  She currently writes for Word Publishing.   He’s has been nominated for multiple Dove Awards, multiple “Songwriter Of The Year” nominations (AGM, SGM), and over twenty “Song Of The Year” nominations.  Artists who have recorded Kenna’s songs include Karen Peck & New River, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Marty Raybon, Brian Free & Assurance, and more.

This is something you do NOT want to miss!

This event will be on Thursday, November 29, from 7:30pm-8:30pm Central time.

Can’t make it to the live event?  Every “Know The Row” is recorded and added to the Frettie Members Area.  These videos are a resource for Frettie subscribers.

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE INFO.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a #1 in Canada, and a top 10 in Texas.  His songs appear on 5 industry-certified gold & platinum albums & singles… so far.  He also hosts a top-rated songwriting and music business podcast called, “The C.L.I.M.B.” which can be found on iTunes or your favorite podcast app.

Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Each music genre has its own secret code. Are you a code-breaker?

Leave a comment


Are you a music-genre code-breaker?

I’m a pretty good country lyricist.  I’ve gotten several cuts, and I’ve had a hit or two on the radio. My wall has some cool stuff on it. But how much does that mean when I’m writing for a non-country genre?

Not much.

Why is that? Is it because I’m not “known” or “respected” or “connected” in that other genre? Nope. It has nothing to do with that.   Is it because that genre is just much harder, and I’m not a good enough writer?  Nope.

So how can a songwriter be really good in one genre, but completely miss the mark in another?

Let’s dive into that today. .

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

Each genre has it’s own language – even if they all sing in English.

As a matter of fact, that’s what makes it so tricky to jump from one genre to another. Your song may sound (to you) like a hit for that other genre, but have you cracked the code of that genre?

Each genre each has its own code. And because you’ve cracked the code in your main genre, it’s natural to think things operate the same way across the street. But they don’t.

For example, I’ve started writing with a couple of pros in the gospel, CCM & southern gospel markets- Kenna West and Jason Cox. Together, they’ve had a ton of #1 singles in that world.

Me, well… I love Jesus. And I’m from Arkansas and think I write a pretty good country song. And many southern gospel and gospel songs have a lot of country in them.  And it’s a smaller market than my “big boy” country market.  Surely, I should be able to write some southern gospel #1s with my eyes closed, right?

Wrong.

This world has its own set of artists, and each of those artists know what they want to say. They also know what they don’t want to say. And they have a different audience than the country market. And that audience knows what it wants to hear from its artists- and that audience knows what it doesn’t want to hear.

Thankfully, I know enough to know that I don’t know enough. So I turn to my co-writers in humility.

“Guys, I’m here to put the lyrical hammer down. But y’all gotta keep me from running us off the road, ok?”

And that’s how it’s gone so far.  The general population may know the artists who’ve cut my songs more than most of the artists who’ve cut their songs.  But, again, that doesn’t mean anything when we set out to write a song for THEIR market.

Songwriters fail in writing for another genre when they don’t respect that genre and it’s “code.”

Kenna and Jason are the experts- the code-breakers – and I’m the novice.  I certainly have skills to apply, value to bring… but it needs to be focused in the right way, in a way that fits the gospel market.

It’s fun to stretch myself by writing for a different genre. But it’s also humbling. And challenging.  Will these songs get cut? I don’t know. We’re only a couple songs in, but my co-writers seem to like them, and they keep letting me back in the room.  So I hope I’m not wasting their time.

I hope you will approach different genres with respect and humility.

The people who are successful in those genres definitely take it seriously. They’ve put in the work to crack the code, to learn the rules and to write songs that fit those rules.

It’s foolish for a songwriter to assume that skills in one genre will easily translate to another genre.

Are you interested in writing for a different genre? Are you interested in branching out into the gospel, CCM or southern gospel market? Or are you already writing for that market, but you want to connect with one of its most successful songwriters? If so, I have a great opportunity for you.

On Thursday, November 29, 2018, I’m hosting Frettie’s “Know The Row” online event with hit songwriter, Kenna West.  She’s written over THIRTY (30!!!!) #1 singles in various Christian / gospel markets.  She’s helping me learn those markets, and she can help YOU, too.  This is your chance to hang out with Kenna and ask her YOUR questions.  And this event is online, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE INFO.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a #1 in Canada, and a top 10 in Texas.  His songs appear on 5 industry-certified gold & platinum albums & singles… so far.  He also hosts a top-rated songwriting and music business podcast called, “The C.L.I.M.B.” which can be found on iTunes or your favorite podcast app.

The C.L.I.M.B., Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Song Title Challenge #26: “Sunflowers In A Hurricane”

Leave a comment

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) – & HERE FOR THE WEBSITE

Get into a pro songwriter’s mind!

Johnny takes a title submitted by a CLIMBer like you, and he springs it on me live!  Then I have to figure out how to make it a hit… yikes!  Watch me blow up or flame out.

If you want to submit a title, send it to Johnny at info@daredevilproduction.com.

It’s not a cowrite.  You keep 100% ownership of whatever you write, and you’re free to use any ideas I throw out.  I am NOT a cowriter on this.  Any ideas are simply my gift to you!

If you’re a singer, songwriter or indie artist who wants to grow your career, THIS is the podcast for you!

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides.  They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

 

The C.L.I.M.B. stands for “Creating Leverage In The Music Business,” and that’s the goal of this podcast- to help singers, indie artists and songwriters like YOU to create leverage in the music business.  What is leverage?  It’s “strategic advantage; the power to act effectively.”  We want to help YOU make stuff happen in the music biz.

It’s exciting to see how folks are digging the show- and being helped on their CLIMB.  If YOU like it, we’d really appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave a rating or review on iTunes.  Positive ratings and reviews help us to climb the iTunes rankings so more people become aware of the show and we can help more singers, songwriters, and indie artists like you make The CLIMB!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

TheCLIMBshow.com

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

Stitcher

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a top 10 in Texas, and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Cut/able Songwriting, Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Songwriting MasterClass: Maren Morris & “Rich”

Leave a comment

Maren Morris might be heartbroken in her new hit single, “Rich,” but she’s laughing all the way to the bank.

Today, let’s dive into a few of the many reasons why this song is racking up the spins and royalties.

Read on.

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

Keep it simple, songwriter.

This isn’t rocket science, ya’ll.  I’ve heard this basic idea before.  Heck, I’ve written this basic idea before- way back when I was just starting to write songs in the ’90’s.  But it hasn’t been overdone.  And the songwriters, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz, and Jessie Jo Dillon, keep it simple.  They stay on point throughout the whole song.  Every line speaks to money and/or the bad relationship.  We don’t have to keep up with sub-plots, surprise twists or anything else.

They don’t make the listener work to figure out what Maren is talking about.  Since the brain doesn’t have to work too hard, the heart has plenty of opportunity just to feel it.  That’s a win.  Oh, and it’s a universal idea- “you’ve hurt me so many times.”  They don’t re-invent the wheel.  But they sure do roll it well.

Unexpected language.

I’m not just talking about a country singer dropping “s—” and “a–” in a song.  Although, that really does get your attention, for better or worse.  But let’s go with the radio edit, which tones down the language.

Most of the unexpected language comes with an unexpected rhyme. I’m sure not used to hearing “Prada” in a country song.  And then they rhyme it with “water.”  Didn’t see that coming, but “yacht in the water” is perfectly on-theme.  Now, you may be a perfect-rhyme purist, but I’m not.  I like that they stretch it a little.  It keeps my attention.  But they aren’t done yet.  “Mandarin,” “gambling” and “Marilyn” are all on-point and fresh, multi-syllable rhymes.

Also, notice how these “rich” examples are so specific.  Instead of “I’d have a nice car, big house, etc.” they use “Benz,” “Prada,” “Mandarin,” etc.  Not only does the specificity help the song stand out and feel current, it sets up those interesting rhymes.

And she mentions Diddy.  In a country song.  Sure didn’t see that coming.

Hooky heartache.

There’s a phrase around Nashville: “heartache with a beat.”  This isn’t a fast song by any means, but it has a great groove and energy.  The song is about a bad relationship, but it sure feels gooooood.  Right off the bat, we get the vocal sing-a-long, hooky “La-a-a-a-a-di-das,” which repeat through the song.  It’s fun and whimsical, so we know from the beginning that the song isn’t too serious.  And the groove/feel as a whole doesn’t sound like anything else on country radio.  It feels good, and it feels completely fresh.  Win-win.

And the sarcasm fits this perfectly and really helps bring more smile factor to it.

I encourage you to dig deeper into YOUR songs.  Can you write something simple that still does the unexpected?  What can you do to bring something fresh to your language, rhymes, grooves and melodies?  It’s not easy, but that’s the pro-level songwriting that turns your dimes into dollars.

If you want some guidance on how to write “market-smart” songs that artists want to record and audiences want to hear, I have something you should check out.  It’s called, “Cut/able: Lessons In Market-Smart Songwriting,” and it’ll help you give your songs their best chance to get recorded.

Click here to take your songwriting to the next level.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a #1 in Canada, and a top 10 in Texas… so far. He also hosts a top-rated songwriting and music business podcast called, “The C.L.I.M.B.” which can be found on iTunes or your favorite podcast app.SWP 4

The C.L.I.M.B., Write Like A Pro

The C.L.I.M.B. #141: Should You Hold Back Your Best Song Ideas?

Leave a comment

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) –  HERE TO LISTEN ON THE WEBSITE

Are you holding back your best song ideas for “someday” when you get in the room with a pro songwriter?  Are you only bringing out your “B-drawer” ideas to your current cowriters?  This is a huge mistake, and in this episode, Johnny and I tell you why.

If you want the world to hear your music, you wanna hear this.  The link to listen is above and below.

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides.  They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

The C.L.I.M.B. stands for “Creating Leverage In The Music Business,” and that’s the goal of this podcast- to help singers, indie artists and songwriters like YOU to create leverage in the music business.  What is leverage?  It’s “strategic advantage; the power to act effectively.”  We want to help YOU make stuff happen in the music biz.

It’s exciting to see how folks are digging the show- and being helped on their CLIMB.  If YOU like it, we’d really appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave a rating or review on iTunes.  Positive ratings and reviews help us to climb the iTunes rankings so more people become aware of the show and we can help more singers, songwriters, and indie artists like you make The CLIMB!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

TheCLIMBshow.com

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

Stitcher

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 10 in Texas, a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.